Some authors choose to write discussion questions that will appear at the back of a book or be available on the writer’s website. Having written a slew of such questions and having been trained in writing curriculum, I have a …
Is Reading Doomed?
This summer, as various library association conventions and publishing events conducted panel discussions on the future of reading. The question each asked: Is reading doomed? Are we in a post-literacy era?
Clearly libraries and publishing houses care a lot about …
5 Things I Never Thought I Would Say as a Literary Agent
When I became a literary agent a number of decades ago, I had lots of ideas of what life would be like. One was that agenting would be easy. (One of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. But one of …
5 Things I Never Thought I Would Say as a Literary AgentRead More
Bookstores: Health Recap
As writers, it’s good for us to take the temperature of bookstores by doing a health recap. When I first worked in publishing, the health of the publishing industry depended on the health of bookstores. Multiple bookstore chains gave ample …
A Lent Reflection on Peace
I want to share a Lent reflection on peace with you. You know how, when you read something that moves you and causes you to ponder, you need to tell someone. You’re that someone for me today.
Why This Poem…er,
…
Looking for Something to Read?
If you’re on the hunt for something to read, I have recommendations.
In my first blog post in a new year, as has been my tradition for I don’t-know-how-long, I review the best of the best from my reading the …
Advent Anticipation
On November 30 we enter into the season of Advent. I grew up in a Lutheran church so Advent anticipation is an integral part of awaiting Christ’s birth for me.
Advent marks the beginning of the church’s spiritual year. That …
In Honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, A Favorite Read of Mine
In January 2023, I wrote the blog post below to proclaim my favorite read from 2022. I still recall this nonfiction book with fondness and respect–fondness for its exquisite writing and respect for the portrayal of how Indigenous peoples see …
In Honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, A Favorite Read of MineRead More
Deadline Mishaps
I’m observing authors becoming less and less concerned about making any deadline they committed to in their contracts. Here is a case in point.
One of my clients casually mentioned to another client of mine that she had never made …
Proposal Challenge: The Competition Section
Recently I was interviewed on one of my client’s podcasts, PastorWriter, with Chase Replogle. We talked about the challenge of writing a winning proposal. Chase and I, along with Barb Roose, are currently working on Chase’s proposal so during the …